(Natural News) A United Nations (UN) report revealed that unmanned combat aerial vehicles and lethal autonomous weapons systems bombarded rebels in Libya last year.
The drones, which can be operated manually, were self-guided during the encounter – using onboard cameras and machine learning to find and target enemies.
According to the March report from the UN Security Council’s Panel of Experts on Libya, Kargu-2 quadcopters were deployed in the North African nation in March last year. The incident occurred during a skirmish between the Libyan government and forces loyal to Khalifa Haftar, commander of a breakaway faction of the Libyan National Army.
Kargu-2 destroys target with explosive charge
The drones “were programmed to attack targets without requiring data connectivity between the operator and the munitions.
Fitted with an explosive charge, the Kargu-2 drone can be flown remotely by a human operator or use its onboard camera and artificial intelligence (AI) to seek out targets autonomously. Its explosive charge detonates on impact. (Related: Attack of the drones: Army wants miniature suicidal drone to kill from six miles away.)
The Kargu-2 has a top speed of about 90 mph and an endurance of half an hour. In standard mode, it is controlled directly by an operator from up to six miles away. When a target is spotted the drone locks on to it and dives in, destroying it with an explosive charge. The concept is similar to the switchblade loitering munition used by the Special Forces, although the Kargu-2 has a much bigger warhead.
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